What Is Hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is too much thyroid hormone in the blood; it is sometimes referred to as an overactive thyroid. Hyperthyroidism affects approximately 2.5 million Americans, and women are more likely to have it than men are.
The most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States is Graves' disease. In other parts of the world, toxic autonomously functioning thyroid nodules and toxic multinodular goiters are more common causes of hyperthyroidism. Regardless of the cause of hyperthyroidism, effective treatment is available.
Signs & Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism |
Hyperthyroid patients may have none, some or many of these signs and symptoms, depending upon the severity of their disease
Patients may have many of these signs and symptoms and not be hyperthyroid |
| fatigue |
increased number of bowel movements |
| nervousness |
shortness of breath |
| irritability |
heart murmur |
| feeling hot |
goiter |
| increased perspiration |
osteoporosis |
| moist, wet, red palms |
smooth skin |
| difficulty sleeping |
generalized itching |
| fast, strong, or irregular heart beat |
fingernails separating from nail beds |
| poor memory |
swollen fingertips |
| inability to concentrate |
swollen lymph glands |
| sudden mood swings |
retracted eyelids |
| "racing mind" |
infertility |
| delusions of grandeur |
miscarriages |
| tremor |
mentrual problems |
| hair loss |
decreased or increased sexual interest |
| weight loss, in spite of increased appetite |
in men, swelling of the breasts |
| muscle weakness |
|
Causes Hyperthyroidism |
Thyroid
Overstimulation |
Thyroid
Nodules |
Thyroid
Disruption |
Miscellaneous |
| Graves' disease |
toxic autonomously functioning thyroid nodule (TAFTN) |
subacute thyroiditis |
T4 or T3 overdose |
| excess hCG |
toxic multinodular goiter (TMNG) |
postpartum
thyroiditis |
struma ovarii |
| pituitary tumor |
|
painless thyroiditis |
|
| iodine excess |
|
radiation-induced thyroiditis |
|
| |
|
acute suppurative thyroiditis |
|
|
